Routinely collected infant feeding data: Time for global action

Citation

Whitford H, Hoddinott P, Amir LH, Chamberlain C, East CE, Jones L & Renfrew MJ (2018) Routinely collected infant feeding data: Time for global action. Maternal and Child Nutrition, 14 (4), Art. No.: e12616. https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.12616

Abstract
The importance of breastfeeding is clear. However, global action to support breastfeeding is hindered by the lack of reliable standard data, which continues to impede progress. Routinely collected data can monitor the effectiveness of health policy, evaluate interventions, and enhance international research collaboration and comparisons. Use of routine data to support effective public health initiatives such as smoking cessation has been demonstrated. However, the data collected about infant feeding practices worldwide is inconsistent in timing, methods, definitions, detail, storage, and consistency. Improvements to the reach and quality of routinely collected data about infant feeding are needed to strengthen the global evidence and policy base. An international collaborative effort is called for to progress this.

Keywords
breastfeeding; infant feeding; monitoring and evaluation; public health

Journal
Maternal and Child Nutrition: Volume 14, Issue 4

People

Professor Pat Hoddinott

Chair in Primary Care, NMAHP